The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) is delighted to share an update on its trainees and field staff. Established in 2009, the VSPT is a non-profit organisation that connects Volcanoes Safaris’ Rwanda and Uganda lodges to the neighbouring communities and conservation activities.

The VSPT provides local youths who live near Volcanoes Safaris Lodges, training in hospitality and wildlife guiding through the Youth Training Programmes. Each quarter, three new trainees are welcomed into the programme, where they gain practical experience and industry relevant skills.

The graduates of the programme then go on to secure employment at nearby lodges or join Volcanoes Safaris lodge and conservation teams. The field staff featured below share what led them into conservation and what they hope visitors take away from time spent in the wild.

The field team are available to speak in more detail about:

What inspired them to pursue careers in conservation
Moments in the field that changed how they see wildlife, nature, or their role as a guide
How they balance guest experience with protecting fragile ecosystems and communities
What sets guiding and researching with Volcanoes Safaris apart
What they hope guests take away beyond photographs and wildlife sightings

Kato Andrew - Guide & Field Chimpanzee Monitor, Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Raised near Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Andrew grew up surrounded by wildlife. His journey into conservation began as a construction porter before joining the VSPT Kyambura Youth Training Programme. He trained in wildlife guiding and bird identification before becoming a field guide at Kyambura Gorge Lodge in 2022.

‘A moment that stands out was when I was doing a chimp population census down the gorge with Nicole Simmons, a chimp researcher, and Mweya the alpha simply sat and watched us. There was no aggression, just a profound sense of recognition. It hit me then realised that I am not just a young guide coming up showing people animals but also a translator for the species that share about 98% of our DNA, this turned my job into a calling. ‘

Andrew hopes guests leave feeling inspired to support conservation efforts and to make a positive impact for future generations in these parts of Africa.

Caroline Kyarimpa - VSPT Guide, Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Caroline’s passion for conservation began in childhood, inspired by her uncle, a guide with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who would take her on boat cruises and game drives during school holidays. Today, as a guide at Kyambura Gorge Lodge, she combines guest experiences with strict conservation protocols.

‘I balance the guest experience with ecosystem protection by strictly adhering to conservation protocols and briefing guests before we go for any activity. For example, during a nature walk, the guests I was guiding were eager to get very close to two elephants for photographs. While I wanted them to have a memorable experience, I knew that encroaching on the elephants' space would be dangerous for both the people and the animals. Because I had conducted a safety briefing beforehand, the guests understood the risks and respected the boundaries I set. This resulted in a successful sighting where everyone felt safe and the elephants remained undisturbed.’

Caroline believes the most meaningful safari experiences happen when guests understand the delicate balance between the wildlife and their habitats.

Dismas Ndizeye - Wildlife Birder, Virunga Lodge

Growing up in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes, Dismas developed a fascination with birds endemic to the Albertine Rift. While many travellers come to the region to see mountain gorillas, Dismas specialises in guiding guests through the ‘hidden world’ of endemic bird species.

‘I remember tracking a Grauer’s Swamp Warbler in a quiet wetland. As the guests and I stood in silence, the entire forest seemed to wake up, the sounds, the insects, the moss-covered trees. It hit me that as a guide, I’m not just showing people animals; I am opening a window into a complex, living machine where every bird song plays a part. It changed my role from 'pointer' to storyteller!’

Through birding, he hopes guests gain a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity that sustains the region’s wildlife, beyond photography and sightings.

Niweahereza Athen - Field Researcher, Kyambura Chimpanzee Monitoring Project

Raised in the Queen Elizabeth National Park landscape, Athen developed a deep connection to the environment from a young age. After joining a Volcanoes Safaris youth training programme, she discovered how conservation could transform both ecosystems and local livelihoods.

‘Before I began my training with Volcanoes Safaris, my view on wildlife was limited. Even though I grew up near Queen Elizabeth National Park, I did not fully realise the immense biological wealth we had right in our own backyard. At the time, I could only identify a few common birds, animals, and tree species. The youth training I received broadened my knowledge on the wildlife in this area and gave me a new sense of confidence and helped to improve my communication and guiding skills.’

Athen believes the best safari experience is one where guests share their knowledge with their friends at home.

Shakillah Atukwatse – Wildlife Birder, Mount Gahinga Lodge

Shakillah’s love for wildlife began in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where she grew up observing the extraordinary diversity of birds and animals. After training through the Kyambura Youth Training Programme, she joined Volcanoes Safaris as a wildlife guide.

‘I educate guests on responsible practices such as staying on marked trails and minimising waste so they understand that their visit helps keep the ecosystem healthy. My goal is a 'win-win': the guest leaves with an unforgettable experience, while the ecosystem and the wildlife remain protected and conserved for the future.’

She hopes guests leave with a new understanding of how wildlife, ecosystems and communities are interconnected.

Winfred Nsabimana - Field Researcher, Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project

Winfred pursued a career in wildlife conservation after challenging cultural expectations that discouraged women from studying science.

Her work with the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project involves tracking and protecting one of the region’s most iconic predators. One of her most powerful experiences was finding Jacob the lion that had lost its eye due to a fight with another lion.

‘Initially, I did not expect him to move much, even after receiving treatment. However, to my surprise, this lion travelled more than 20 kilometres in one night! We found him in poor condition, and while we provided treatment, I thought he wouldn’t survive but he is still standing strong to this day.’

Winifred’s every action is rooted in mutual respect for nature, and she believes guests who witness wildlife in its natural habitat often leave with a renewed commitment to conservation too.

EDITORS' NOTES
About Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust
The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT), established in 2009, is a non-profit organisation that connects Volcanoes’ Rwanda and Uganda lodges to the neighbouring communities and conservation activities. The VSPT receives funding through Volcanoes Safaris, which contributes $50 per night from each guest staying at a Volcanoes lodge, as well as grants from conservation organisations, private donations by our guests and others.

The VSPT aims to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities, promote the conservation of the great apes, restore natural habitats and work with communities and institutions to reduce human-wildlife conflict. As part of their stay at Volcanoes Lodges, guests get an opportunity to visit VSPT projects and to share the lives of the local communities.

Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust Trainee Update